Another fantastic Veterans’ Health Week comes to a close

And that’s a wrap on Veterans’ Health Week for 2021!

Despite some challenges with COVID-19 restrictions, the veteran community came together to put on some fantastic activities in line with the theme, Get Moving, encouraging everyone to engage in physical activity – one of the most important contributors to an individual’s overall health and wellbeing.

With 730 events on the calendar, there was plenty on offer. Two major events kicked off during Veterans’ Health Week, including the Bravery Trek Challenge 2021 launched by the Governor-General at Government House in Canberra. The Trek encourages participants to walk, run or cycle 100 kilometres – representing 100 years of the Royal Australian Air Force.

The first of the Swiss 8 BBQs were also held as part of their ‘A BBQ to Remember’ initiative to encourage people to come together and have conversations about mental health.

Some great images and stories were shared on social media from ex-service organisations and community groups.

The Learn to Surf program, run jointly by the Invictus Pathways Program and Invictus Australia, saw a group of brave veterans zip up their wetsuits and head into the surf off Middleton Beach, South Australia.

The Mates4Mates Northern Territory team held a fun day of activities for local veterans and their families with golf, archery, table tennis and group walks on offer.

Open Arms – Veterans and Families Counselling partnered with Veteran Sport Australia and RSL Australia to hold a national Team Veteran Parkrun, encouraging veterans and their families everywhere to lace up their runners and hit the pavement.

DVA would like to say a massive thank you to all those in the veteran community who hosted an event as well as those who attended an event. This year’s theme, Get Moving, is an important one for our overall health and wellbeing, and it was fantastic to see so many smiling faces enjoying getting active and connecting with others.

There are still some events running, so to see what’s on and to read more about Veterans’ Health Week, visit Veterans' Health Week website.

Several men wearing Open Arms T-shirts walking down a path in what looks like a park

Bravery Trek Challenge 2021

A group of 8 people are wearing pink and black wetsuits, standing on surfboards on the sand at Middleton Beach, South Australia

Learn to Surf program at Middleton Beach, SA